Tuesday, January 31, 2012

One of my bloggy intentions this year was to return to Lucy Violet's roots and resume showing you my collection of vintage tea towels. They've been squashed into the "third drawer down" for too long. Poor things. I think it's about time for some more tea towel lovin round these parts, don't you?

Today's is a beauty.

It ticks all the boxes. It's got everything you'd ever want in a vintage tea towel and more. See...

told ya!

The really cool thing about this t.towel (apart from the obvious and the fact it cost a mere twenty cents!) is that we found it in an op-shop on our way to an art installation featuring more than 300 of them!

Call me a dag, but I think that's pretty awesome.

The installation (or exhibition really) examines the production and use of souvenir tea towels. It reminds us to look beyond their intended use and appreciate them as cultural mementos.

If you've read Lucy Vi for a while you'll know how much I love a colourful, kitschy tea towel, and you'll also understand how excited I was to have a look at 300 of the little darlings crammed together in one room.

It was quite an interesting exhibition...most of the t.towels had been embellished in some way (embroidery, screen printed etc) not quite what a tea towel purist like me (ha!) was expecting. I know, I make a sucky critic!

I like this quote taken from the Spin Cycle blurb:

click to make it bigger

(unless you've got fancy-schmancy new specs like me!)

Pile, Naomie Hatherley, 2008

﻿Spin Cycle is open until the 26 February.

And btw, you can see more vintage tea towels here on Lucy Violet, in the weeks and months to come.

And all is looking better with the world. Good to see the return of your collection Kylie. I guess everyone round here loves them as much as you and is still using their souvenir teatowels cos I certainly don't see them anywhere secondhand.

'Tea Towel Purist'- hilarious! I think you are definitely the guru when it comes to these things. I saw a really great souvenir tea towel in the Midland Vinnies the other day. It was a sports one from '82 but I left it behind in the spirit of not accumulating stuff. I did think about nabbing it for you but then I figured you had so many and I'm not sure it was interesting enough!

I see a few in the charity shops here but they don't tend to be very old (or very interesting). Would love to see more of your collection. Do you like souvenir scarves as well, ot is it all about the tea towels?! xx

So excited the tts are back! Blimey they're crammed in ONE drawer. Mine are all on one shelf but not nearly as old or as interesting as your lovely lot. Today's is a really beaut and it's my birth year - even better! Lordy, that exhibition looks the bees knees.

I love vintage tea towels. I don't come by them much in the thrift stores, I have had more luck with finding them at garage sales. Usually sold by senior ladies who DO NOT let them go cheap. They are always at least $1 *lol*

I always hyperventilate a little bit when I spy a vintage tea towel hiding peeking out from behind things in an op shop. It is so exciting seeing what year it's from. I totally get your love of them. Yours is absolutely gorgeous. It looks like it is in great nick too.

Wow that is a stunner, the colours are divine! Your third draw is way more glamorous than mine, mine is full of chargers to every mobile everyone in the fam has ever owned. The exhibition sounds amazing x

Hello Kylie,1962 - the year I was born!Have to say the teatowel looks a lot better at 50 than I do!!And I've finally figured out how to leave a comment on your blog now - I have to subscribe to the 'post atom' whatever that is :)Take care,Sue xxx

Love the that blue in your tea towel - and the effect that the fabric weave gives it. Something so special about these old tea towels. I'd have enjoyed that exhibition, especially all the alterations/additions to them.

Hello KylieThanks for your lovely comment on my blog, I just love your log. Right up my street so do expect me to pop in again:) I did spot your flying ducks too but I was mesmorised at looking at all your other really funky and cool furnishings! I love old and memorable tea towels too, there is someting so comforting about them and hey they can be functional too! Bonus! Have a fab weekend and look forward to perusing your blog xox Penelope

Hi Kylie, what a gorgeous tea towel it looks brand new. The exhibition sound interesting. Tea towels never last long in this house, so no use me having any good ones. My last 'keep calm' one, Carl burnt on the stove top...so much for keeping calm..hahaha

Enjoy your weekend, its been a hectic week here, I'm back to work and the kids have just started their new school year, Tam x